Stephanie McMahon has opened up about the emotional moment when The Undertaker surprised her with news of her WWE Hall of Fame induction for 2026.
In a sit-down interview with WWE before Survivor Series: WarGames, McMahon described how the elaborate surprise unfolded at Wrestlepalooza, WWE's first show on ESPN.
You don't ever feel worthy. I don't think of an accolade like that," McMahon admitted. She explained that Triple H had told her they would do an ID shot of her in the crowd, and a cameraman said they were shooting over her shoulder for Taker's entrance. Nothing seemed unusual.
"Here comes Taker and he's revving his bike and he gives me the look ringside, which he normally does if I'm sitting ringside. That wasn't unusual. And then the bike shuts off and I actually think he stalls it out. So I'm like, about to start laughing, you know, like point at him."
McMahon revealed she was completely caught off guard when The Undertaker intentionally shut off his motorcycle, grabbed a microphone, and continued staring directly at her.
Then he said to be the first, when he used the word 'inducted,' that's when I realized, and you can see it in the video when you watch it back, like you could see it actually register across my face. And I was just blown away.
Even now, McMahon struggles to process the honor.
It's still overwhelming. When anybody says it, it's just like, no, that's not real. That's not real.
The former SmackDown General Manager described what the Hall of Fame means to her: "It's like the biggest level of achievement in our business and our business means so much to me. It's unfathomable."
McMahon becomes the first announced inductee for the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2026, which will take place during WrestleMania 42 weekend in Las Vegas.